LadiMopar

Yup, I understand that! ? I bought a $50 refurbished tablet to use with mine. It is Android specific (no Deeper sonar app for I-pad devices) and I can mount it with a RAM mount to the track system, or I most often just slide the tablet in the side pocket of the seat. On average I can get 6 hours of use on the tablet, so picked up a $30 dollar rechargeable, water resistant battery pack (usb) to keep the tablet charged if I want to stay on the water longer than that. Battery pack is maybe the size of a deck of cards. Nice, neat, compact with an equally nice, neat compact price. About $300 total if you're willing to do a little extra price hunting, or buy used/refurbished tablet or mounts. Good luck with your decision. If you have more questions just give a yell.

I just ordered a new Feelfree Dorado 125 yesterday which is an upgrade in size etc., but have been fishing in a Feelfree Lure 10 for two years and I loved it. It may have a few perks like in hull storage that perhaps other yaks don't offer in 10 ft models. Has a great adjustable seat which is super comfy, and a wheel in the keel for easy handling to/from the water. Weighs in at 70 pounds, weight capacity 350 pounds. https://feelfreeus.com/kayaks/fishing-kayaks/lure-10/

Like you I don't fish waters much deeper than 30ft. I mostly wanted a sonar for mapping smaller waters and really didn't want to clutter up my yak with electronics so my choice is a Deeper Sonar. Started with the base model 2 years ago and recently upgraded to the Pro version. https://deepersonar.com/uk/en_gb the Deeper is fully self contained (no big battery, no separate transducer etc) runs on a Bluetooth or Wi-Fi connection (phone or tablet) and attaches to the frame of my seat with a flex arm. Product comparison videos are available at YT (Deeper/Humminbird etc.) It's been perfect for my needs, and the company provides free online map viewing/sharing and cloud storage for all your scans.

Greetings @EWREX from N. Central Bassachusetts! Nice intro. It's always good to see new folks here from Frozen Yankeeland! LM

Sorry you missed the show it would have been good to see you. "Haggard" from Kittery made it down after dealing with a temporary loss of heat at his place and I think I saw @Mr. Aquarium whiz by me while I was in the NEBassin booth. Looked for him in the booth he mentioned he might be at, but like a double digit bass in New England he disappeared into heavy cover never to be seen again! ? ROFLMAO!!!! Now that you mention it @DogBone_384 you're right, the Dorado does look a bit like an aircraft carrier! ? They had one I could inspect up close and personal and in keeping with military reference...it's built like a tank! Bought mine with the motor drive option and at a hefty 125 lbs I'm sure I'll need it. Can't imagine paddling it. Eeek! Just some first impressions: The new higher backed seat (7 inches taller than original) was mighty comfy. Looking forward to maybe being able to put some extra time in with less back strain; the cockpit storage options seem to be quite generous; rear tank well is a lot bigger than my Lure 10; battery box/integrated wiring system looks pretty stout and is well thought out (nice and neat/nothing to get hung up on); and the LED lights are incredibly bright! Hope small planes don't mistake me for a landing strip at O'dark thirty!!!! ? Lastly, the peddle drive unit looks and feels as solid as their advertising implied, but maybe you can share some of your thoughts @DogBone_384 on that. New, out of the box equipment can be a tad deceiving. Would appreciate any feedback on your experience with it, like is it as easy to get in/out as they show it to be? How long does it take you to get it locked and loaded? Will I need to remove it to get it on the trailer? Thanks in advance. If you got out on the water today I hope it was relaxing and productive. ?

Show was wonderful today, put the down payment on the new Dorado! ? But if you're not in need of anything you could get elsewhere I'd vote for open water. Just my 2 cents.

Everyone I've given the IT bait to has loved them; I tend to lean towards the 3.5 inch version. They can be used just as they are or if you're really looking to bag a big girl I've run them as trailers on a jig or spinnerbait. As Mr Aquarium mentioned the frogs are fabulous. I also really like the Super Craw trailers, but to be honest I can't say I've ever been completely disappointed by any of his baits. They are well made, and deliciously soft without a ton of oil on them. I've also found they don't bleed out their color like many low cost/quality plastics do after sitting in the heat. Hope this helps a little. ?

If the neon green camo hoodie is attached to a gal with a long ponytail and a RAM hat you've most likely found me! And l don't figure there will be too many who fit that description. Should I also mention that a crankbait rod is probably fat compared to me? LOL!!!! Have you tried Mayo's handpoured baits? Brian does some amazing soft plastics, and his prices are amazing too! One of the days he's doing a Hawg tank demo of his IT bait which is a real interesting creature type bait. Like a long whispy craw with great action. He's always the first booth in the main hall. https://www.mayosbaits.com

If the "boss" won't sign your permission slip I'd be happy to forge her signature! ? And as far as that work thing goes, tell your other boss you need a mental health day...fishing tackle and good friends always make you feel better. ? That's a fabulous idea, so glad you mentioned it! ?

A heartfelt thanks for the kind words on the loss of my dad, they really are appreciated. No matter how old we get, or how long you know its coming, losing a parent just isn't easy. And not to be a complete downer, I also lost my oldest fishing buddy in November. ? Please let 2019 be a better year for everyone. @MrAquarium and @Janderson45 I plan to be at the expo Saturday when the doors open too! Meeting up with @haggard who is coming down from Kittery. Keep your eyes open for my big Brown RAM in the "specially anointed" parking spots. (aka handicapped) With any luck we can do a mini meet and greet ...sorry you have to work @DogBone_384 ? If you don't see me in the parking lot I probably won't be too hard to find in the show...NEBassin neon green hoodie and a RAM hat. ? ?

Yup, I agree, but it's a mighty sweet yak. Any of you guys heading to the fishing expo in Boxborough this weekend? I'm planning to order my new Feelfree Dorado yak while I'm there. https://nefishingexpo.com Hope all of you had a wonderful holiday season and a great gathering at the Red Wing. Wish I could have made it down there but my dad passed away just a month ago and I've been trying to get things squared away for my mother. Looking forward to the expo, and a return to open water...a big 'ole bass on the end of a line would sure do wonders for me right about now.

Absolutely correct @NHBull, and this is obviously the case with the "Bassella" merger. Being of a legal background I attempted to locate an official copy of the " legendary lifetime" guarantee prior to the merger, the oldest version I could turn up without hours and hours of research went back to 2009. And while they were still using the term "lifetime" in their documentation/advertising the actual terms of that agreement were specified generally as 90 days for any reason on a Cabela's branded product; 1 year on Cabela's brand items with defects in workmanship/materials. The exception to the one year policy was strictly on Cabela's private label clothing/boots which specified for the lifetime of the product [exception to this is waders]. In reading the so called fine print, "lifetime" is/was based on internal company assessment, testing etc. which determines how long that "lifetime" is, as well as what constitutes "normal use. While I could not find any documentation that stated the usual disclaimer ' warranty subject to change without notice" blah, blah, blah... one should just assume that it is always implied. In non-legal terms, always assume that there are "weasel words" hiding in the shadows, and that everything is subject to change to the benefit of the company...no matter what company it is. Just my 2 cents.

Unfortunately they seem to be about half way to oblivion already. I discovered their change in return policy over the summer when my "brother" had to replace a Cabelas brand fishing rod I bought him. The only good thing at my local "Bassela's" now are the folks who work there; many of whom I've gotten to know well, and who have kept me in the loop of upcoming changes. Otherwise it looks and feels more and more like BPS.

I've been In my Feelfree Lure 10 for two seasons now and am planning an upgrade to the new Feelfree Dorado 125. There's nothing wrong with the Lure 10 if you're able to paddle, I have loved my time in the 10, but physical limitations are pushing me to one with a pedal/motor drive. Got a trailer this season which made getting out so much easier, and I could also leave the "kayak sherpa" (aka hubby) at home! ? The new Dorado comes with all kinds of new stuff built in like a battery box, full navigation lights, and their amazing seat has a taller backrest. Too much stuff to list, and I don't want it sound like an ad for this company but imho it's pretty hard to go wrong with any of Feelfree 's yaks. Congrats @the reel ess on your new ride! Hope it's as wonderful for you as mine has been for me.

@jbmaine You and Mrs JB are always welcome at our Cabelas. It's probably not as big as yours (no trout pond, just one tank) but every time I go there, which is frequently, there is more and more stuff being added....it's the BPS invasion, but the fishing dept has doubled! And we have a ton of St. Croix rods....and I know where they keep them! ? Our bargain cave has shriveled up too, but it was still there a few weeks ago...just had a lot less in it. So, come on down! And we can go grab a meal or something after our shopping adventure.

Bought my grandson the Ugly stick spinning set up (open face) when he was 9 (he's 12 now). The 5' 6" rod is perfect for most kids in the 6 - 12 age bracket unless they are extremely vertically challenged in either direction. (Very small or very tall for their age). The only gripe I had about it was 2 hours into its first use the reel literally fell apart in his hands. Poor kid was heartbroken, thinking he had done something wrong. So, the lesson learned was...stay away from those blister pack combos and get something you can actually "try" before you buy. He's still using the Ugly stick, but I paired it with a better quality but still reasonably priced Pfleuger. End result- happy kid who isn't frustrated or heartbroken because of equipment failure. Long term outlook, another generation to carry on and grow the sport. Win, win!

I buy from them every year at the NE fishing expo in Boxborough, MA. They make an excellent quality product.

I fish the NRWS also from Groton, and while I can't answer your question you may want to contact the watershed association directly, or visit the Mass Fisheries and Wildlife office on RT 2A in Ayer. I'm sure one of them can help you. http://www.nashuariverwatershed.org/index.php Nashua River Watershed. Mass fish and wildlife Ayer office 978-772-2145 85 Fitchburg Rd. (2A) Ayer, MA

Just upgraded my Deeper 3.0 that I've used for two years to a Pro+ (3.0 is discontinued and they offered the upgrade for $100 off) and have used the new one several times. They have been a great tool for me in mapping the smaller waters I tend to fish that have no topo or bathymetry maps. I also like the added Lakebook site they offer for free to view, print, or share my maps. I'm not aware of any other sonar brand that offers free mapping "software" as part of their offers. The one advantage to the Pro or Pro+ is should you get a kayak, or small boat in the future you won't need to upgrade. The new "Start" model is bank fishing specific, and can't be used from a boat (with the available flex arm mount) unless you want to cast the thing all day long. There are several comparison videos to watch at YT that put the Deeper through its paces head to head with other brands such as Humminbird. For my needs I don't see the value in spending more or taking up valuable space on my yak. The Deeper imho is a great value, and solidly built. Best of luck with whatever choice you make. If you have more questions feel free to PM me.

I'd pay to see that! ? Went to Tully in Royalston Sunday and put five in the yak. Nothing huge, but one nice 3.5. Water temps running between 60-63. Posted the pics on the Latest Catch thread.

@Gundog I want you to know that I appreciated your words of wisdom to take care of myself after last weeks rib breaking event, but I am in some ways a glutton for punishment, call me crazy, or whatever else might come to mind but somehow sitting in my yak in pain is still better than sitting at home in the chair lamenting the fact that the months of frozen water are not far off. So, I went out Sunday and bagged 5.

Sorry to say I'm being quite serious. I didn't bother with medical treatment because now a days they don't bind up a cracked/broken rib. It hurts like hell but she was worth it!

@jbmaine I thank you [and Mrs. Jim] for a most entertaining story. Goodness knows we've probably all had experiences like that, but more than likely not the same eloquent humor when retelling the tale. This is one that will keep me smiling for a long time. ?

Well, she isn't huge but she taught me a painful lesson...don't use your ribcage as a brace! Yup, cracked a rib trying to horse her out of the pads. This getting old thing is well...getting old.

@DogBone_384 I have to admit I really like your "style"; you don't happen to offer a training program I could send my mostly "non fishing" husband to do you? ?